Stanley Cup Playoffs: Game Two – Nathan MacKinnon leads Avalanche to win over Wild

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Avalanche didn’t need any late-game heroics this time around.

The Avs used the unreal speed of Nathan MacKinnon and two goals by captain Gabe Landeskog to beat the Minnesota Wild 4-2 in Game 2 on Saturday night at the Pepsi Center. Colorado takes a 2-0 lead in the series.

MacKinnon was unbelievable  from the beginning. He scored the first goal of the game to tie the game at 1 in the first period. He made a move at center ice that left the Wild defense flat-footed.  He also had three assists.

Landeskog reaped the benefits of MacKinnon’s play as he scored twice in the second period. The young studs’ buddy on the line Paul Stastny also had a big night with a goal and three assists.

The Avs looked to be in trouble early as the Wild came out very aggressive. Minnesota went on the power play just two minutes into the game but Colorado and Seymon Varlamov killed off the penalty. The Wild’s Charlie Coyle scored a couple of minutes after the kill for the first goal of the game.

But the Avs weathered the storm and took over after MacKinnon’s goal in the first period. Varlamov was back to his normal self in net, coming up with 30 saves in the win.

No matter what though, MacKinnon is becoming a star in front of a national audience. He has seven points in two playoff games. Oh, and he is only 18.

Game 3 is set for Monday at Minnesota.

If you would like to listen to the Burgundy Brigade game two recap, make sure to click the media player below. Make sure to visit their website at BurgundyBrigade.com.

First period — 1, Minnesota, Coyle 2 (Koivu, Suter), 4:18. 2, Colorado, MacKinnon 1 (Stastny, Holden), 6:20. Penalties — McLeod, Col (interference), 1:07; Hejda, Col (delay of game), 7:23.

Second period — 3, Colorado, Landeskog 2 (MacKinnon, Stastny), 2:58. 4, Colorado, Landeskog 3 (Stastny, MacKinnon), 11:59. Penalties — Niederreiter, Min (interference), 9:52; Brodziak, Min (roughing), 15:47.

Third period — 5, Minnesota, Scandella 1 (Koivu, Parise), 18:41 (sh). 6, Colorado, Stastny 3 (MacKinnon), 19:45 (en-pp). Penalties — Hejda, Col (hooking), 2:56; Suter, Min (cross-checking), 18:30; McCormick, Min, game misconduct, 19:45; McLeod, Col, game misconduct, 19:45.

Shots on Goal — Minnesota 10-9-13—32. Colorado 11-9-9—29.
Power-play opportunities — Minnesota 0 of 3; Colorado 1 of 3.
Goalies — Minnesota, Bryzgalov 0-2-0 (14 shots-11 saves), Kuemper (11:59 second, 14-14). Colorado, Varlamov 2-0-0 (32-30).

Attendance — 18,402 (18,007). T — 2:41.